As the flashback ended, Aaron's cheeks were flushed, his mind racing, and his body heating up with memories he could hardly contain.
*Why does this have to haunt me?* he thought, the warmth spreading across his face reminding him of the intensity of the night before.
That night, what Kris made him do was truly shameful. His Senirips body, which he had protected for ages—his treasure, now marred with marks of passion—was the source of his embarrassment.
My husband is such a wolf, he mused, shaking his head slightly as if trying to dislodge the vivid images from his mind.
The memory of last night kept making him flush, a reminder of every bold caress and whispered word that had ignited something deep within him.
No part of his skin was spared. Every inch of his skin had been touched and controlled by his husband's large, palm-sized hands, moving with both gentleness and authority.
Touching every secret place beneath my skin. What a rogue, he thought, feeling both pleasure and embarrassment.
Gosh!
His cheeks couldn't help but flush again, turning a tomato shade of red as he relived each moment in his head.
How could I let this happen?
While lost in his thoughts, his eyes caught a glimpse of his neckline in the mirror across the room.
It's a mess... I'm done!
He grimaced as he realized how his reflection mirrored his inner turmoil. His eyes burned with more shame as he thought back to Lady Anabel's visit.
When Lady Anabel was here, did she see it?
He blamed Kris for this entire situation. His husband is such a rogue... no, a wolf.
He deserves something even worse! he silently chastised Kris, the annoyance mixing with the embarrassment that swirled within him. Looking at all those hickeys on his neck, the evidence of his husband's boldness, made his heart race...not in excitement, but in a mix of anger and shame.
What an embarrassment,he thought. He felt both annoyed and ashamed. The entire time Lady Anabel had been there, his neck had been on full display, a constant reminder of the passionate night he had just experienced.
All the hickeys Kris left on me are on display, he thought, a wave of humiliation crashing over him.
He felt like he should just bury himself right now, hide from the world, and pretend none of it had ever happened.
I'm done, totally done for, he thought, shaking his head in disbelief.
If there had been actual tears coming from his eyes, they could have flooded a room, for the amount of embarrassment he felt was overwhelming, like a tidal wave crashing over him.
"Ah, God..." he whispered, his voice barely audible as he continued to berate himself internally.
What was I thinking?
He just kept exclaiming internally, drowning in his own thoughts.
I'm not a shameless person, so why am I so embarrassed?
The hickeys that Kris left on him were visible, a bright contrast against his skin, and it felt as if they screamed for attention.
I wasn't careful enough, he lamented.
Is this good or bad, in any case?
Was he a bad Senirips for allowing this to happen?
Everything will be totally fine, right? That was the question he repeatedly asked himself, trying to calm the storm brewing inside him.
His heart, beating erratically in the early morning, wasn't good for him, and what he really needed was a nice, relaxing morning bath to wash away the memories...both the shame and the warmth.
I can't face anyone like this. I need to get it together, he thought, mentally preparing himself for the day ahead.
With all the emotions swirling in Aaron's heart...too much, too much shame...
He took slower steps down the stairs, trying to ground himself.
I just have to hide it...
With his hands gripping his neck, he tried to cover the hickeys at their base, an act that felt both futile and ridiculous.
This is so ridiculous, he thought, noticing how silly he looked as he moved awkwardly, trying to shield himself from any prying eyes while stepping up the stairs.
Soon, at the front of the door, he opened it, bracing himself for whatever lay beyond.
I just need to make it through today, he thought, steeling his resolve.
He walked in, ready to go to the bathtub and prepare his water, hoping that the warm water would somehow soothe his frazzled nerves.
With unexpectedness, a figure flashed before him, catching him off guard.
What now?
This made his heart pound louder, echoing in his ears.
He sighed in relief...it was only a maid who walked in, but still, why did she have to be so careful and fast?
My heart is going to jump out of my chest, he thought, feeling the adrenaline spike in his veins.
"What are you doing here? How may I help you?" he managed to ask, his voice trembling slightly.
"Master Senirips, I'm the maid Natalia, and I'm here to help you with your morning bath and dressing."
This is strange. What does she mean by morning bath?
Aaron found it weird; his mind was racing with questions.
Am I supposed to let her do that?
But that wasn't the point he wanted to focus on.
"No need to worry yourself, Natalia. I can manage my bath on my own."
There's no way I'm letting the maid help me with my bath. What if she sees the hickeys Kris left on me?
.
I'll just get through this day, and maybe it will all blow over.